In vivo degradability of hydrogels prepared from different gelatins by various cross-linking methods

This study is an investigation to evaluate the in vivo degradation of gelatin hydrogels in terms of their number of cross-links. Various hydrogels were prepared from acidic gelatin, extracted from bovine bone, porcine skin or fish scale, and basic gelatin, extracted from porcine skin, through four types of cross-linking methods, i.e., glutaraldehyde (GA) or dehydrothermal treatment and ultraviolet (UV) or electron beam irradiation. The water content of hydrogels and their number of cross-links, calculated from the tensile modulus of hydrogels, were evaluated as the measure of hydrogel cross-linking extent. Following subcutaneous implantation of ¹²⁵I-labeled gelatin hydrogels into mice, the radioactivity remaining was measured at different time intervals to assess the in vivo degradability of hydrogels. Irrespective of the gelatin type and cross-linking method, a good correlation was found between the in vivo degradability of hydrogels and their number of cross-links, which is different from the correlation to their water content. This finding indicates that the degradability of hydrogels is governed by their number of cross-links.     

pH-triggered injectable hydrogels prepared from aqueous N-palmitoyl chitosan: In vitro characteristics and in vivo biocompatibility

In-situ forming hydrogels triggered by environmental stimuli have emerged as a promising injectable strategy targeted for various biomedical applications. However, several drawbacks associated with temperature-stimulated hydrogels have been reported. Employing a hydrophobically-modified chitosan (N-palmitoyl chitosan, NPCS), we developed a pH-triggered hydrogel system which showed a rapid nanostructure transformation within a narrow pH range (pH 6.5–7.0). NPCS in an aqueous environment was found to be a shear-thinning fluid and exhibited an instant recovery of its elastic properties after shear thinning, thereby making it an injectable material. Additionally, aqueous NPCS, an associating polyelectrolyte, can be rapidly transformed into hydrogel triggered simply by its environmental pH through a proper balance between charge repulsion and hydrophobic interaction. This in-situ hydrogel system was shown to be nontoxic. Subcutaneous injection of aqueous NPCS (pH 6.5) into a rat model resulted in rapid formation of a massive hydrogel at the location of injection. The implanted hydrogel was found to be degradable and was associated with an initial macrophage response which decreased with time as the degradation proceeded. These results suggested that the developed NPCS hydrogel may be used as an injectable drug/cell delivery system.     

In vivo biocompatibility of dextran-based hydrogels

Dextran-based hydrogels were obtained by polymerization of aqueous solutions of methacrylated dextran (dex-MA) or lactate-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-derivatized dextran (dex-lactate-HEMA). Both nondegradable dex-MA and degradable dex-lactate-HEMA disk-shaped hydrogels, varying in initial water content and degree of substitution (DS, the number of methacrylate groups per 100 glucose units), were implanted subcutaneously in rats. The tissue reaction was evaluated over a period of 6 weeks. The initial foreign-body reaction to the dex-MA hydrogels was characterized by infiltration of granulocytes and macrophages and the formation of fibrin, and exudate, as well as new blood vessels. This reaction depended on the initial water content as well as on the DS of the hydrogel and decreased within 10 days. The mildest tissue response was observed for the gel with the highest water content and intermediate DS. At day 21 all dex-MA hydrogels were surrounded by a fibrous capsule and no toxic effects on the surrounding tissue were found. No signs of degradation were observed. The initial foreign-body reaction to the degradable dex-lactate-HEMA hydrogels was less severe compared with the dex-MA gels. In general, the size of the dex-lactate-HEMA hydrogels increased progressively with time and finally the gels completely dissolved. Degradation of the dex-lactate-HEMA hydrogels was associated with infiltration of macrophages and the formation of giant cells, both of which phagocytosed pieces of the hydrogel. A good correlation between the in vitro and the in vivo degradation time was found. This suggests that extra-cellular degradation is not caused by enzymes but depends only on hydrolysis of the ester and/or carbonate bonds present in the crosslinks of the hydrogels. After 21 days, the degradable hydrogels, as such, could not be retrieved, but accumulation of macrophages and giant cells was observed, both of which contained particles of the gels intracellularly. As for the dex-MA hydrogels, no toxic effects on the surrounding tissue were found. The results presented in this study demonstrate that dextran-based hydrogels can be considered as biocompatible materials, making these hydrogels attractive systems for drug delivery purposes.     

In vivo performance of two different hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium prepared by discharging in electrolytes

This study reports a discharging method for bone-like carbonated HA (cHA)-coating (Ca/P 1.71) and stoichiometric HA (sHA)-coating (Ca/P 1.67) with micrometer order thicknesses on titanium plates, using modified body fluid and acidic calcium phosphate solutions, respectively. In vivo histological performance of the HA coatings prepared by discharging in electrolytes was evaluated. Bone-contact indexes of HA coatings were measured microscopically. Additionally, bone-coating interface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the use of an electron probe microanalyzer. Results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in contact index between HA coatings. However, the cHA coating was practically replaced by immature bone, and the titanium metal substrate was directly connected to the bone structure whereas the sHA coating layer remained and was partially detached from the titanium metal substrate. Since detached coating particles are pathogens, and can cause peri-implantitis, the cHA coating was more favorable than the sHA coating even if contact index was equivalent to that of the sHA coating. It is thought that coating thickness and chemical composition of coatings are important for biological stability of implants. In conclusion, since bone-like thin cHA coating showed high osteoconductivity and bone replacement, bone-like HA is superior to sHA coating for use in dental implants.     

In vivo release of testosterone from vinyl polymer composites prepared by radiation-induced polymerization

Polymer-testosterone composites with long periods of controlled slow release were made by radiation-induced polymerization in a supercooled state at low temperature using glass-forming monomers. The in vitro release of testosterone from various vinyl polymer composites was found to follow a matrix-controlled process (Q-t1/2). The rate of drug delivery was accelerated with increasing water content of polymers. In experiments in vivo, the composites were implanted subcutaneously in the back of castrated rats during the 30 day test period. The in vivo release rate of testosterone was a little smaller than in vitro. This difference between two releases also increased with the increase of hydrophilicity of polymer. The physiological response in rats was investigated by measuring the weight of ventral prostate and serum testosterone concentration with testosterone-containing composites. The weight of ventral prostate increased linearly with increasing rate of drug release and the serum testosterone concentration could be correlated with the release and with the weight increase of ventral prostate. It was found from microscopic observation that the used polymer carriers had relatively good biocompatibility to cause little foreign body reaction.     

In vivo biocompatibility and degradability of a novel injectable-chitosan-based implant.

A novel injectable-chitosan-based delivery system with low cytotoxicity was fabricated in the study. The chitosan microspheres with small particle size, low crystallinity and good sphericity were prepared by a spray-drying method followed by treating with a crosslinker. In the study, a naturally occurring crosslinking reagent (genipin), which has been used in herbal medicine and in the production of food dyes, was used to crosslink the chitosan microspheres. The glutaraldehyde-crosslinked counterparts were used as a control. Histological study of the genipin-crosslinked chitosan microspheres injected intramuscularly into the skeletal muscle of a rat model showed a less inflammatory reaction than its glutaraldehyde-crosslinked counterparts. The results of the scanning electron microscopic examination indicated that the glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan microspheres retrieved at 12-week postoperatively were already degraded into a loose and porous structure. However, the degradation of the genipin-crosslinked chitosan microspheres was not significant after 20 weeks of implantation. The results of the study demonstrated that the genipin-crosslinked chitosan microspheres have a superior biocompatibility and a slower degradation rate than the glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan microspheres. Accordingly, the genipin-crosslinked chitosan microspheres may be a suitable polymeric carrier for long-acting injectable drug delivery.     

Cytotoxicity evaluation of gelatin sponges prepared with different cross-linking agents

Gelatin is a natural polymer used in pharmaceutical and medical applications, especially in the production of biocompatible and biodegradable wound dressings and drug delivery systems. Gelatin granules hydrate, swell and solubilize in water, and rapidly degrade in vivo. The durability of these materials could, however, be prolonged by cross-linking by aldehydes, carbodiimides, and aldose sugars, but the biocompatibility of collagenous biomaterials is profoundly influenced by the nature and extent of cross-linking. In this study, gelatin sponges were prepared by using various cross-linkers such as glutaraldehyde (GA), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC), and D-fructose. The effects of the type and the amount of cross-linker on thermal and mechanical properties, stability, and cytotoxicity were investigated. The mechanical analysis data showed that an increase in the amount of GA in the sponge structures caused a slight increase in the modulus of elasticity but had almost no effect on the tensile strength. Increase in the EDAC concentration produced a maximum in the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength values. The stability of the sponges and the time required for complete degradation in aqueous media increased in parallel with the cross-linker content. In vitro studies carried out with fibroblast cells demonstrated a higher cell viability for the samples cross-linked with low concentrations of GA than for those cross-linked with EDAC.     

Cytotoxicity evaluation of gelatin sponges prepared with different cross-linking agents

Gelatin is a natural polymer used in pharmaceutical and medical applications, especially in the production of biocompatible and biodegradable wound dressings and drug delivery systems. Gelatin granules hydrate, swell and solubilize in water, and rapidly degrade in vivo. The durability of these materials could, however, be prolonged by cross-linking by aldehydes, carbodiimides, and aldose sugars, but the biocompatibility of collagenous biomaterials is profoundly influenced by the nature and extent of cross-linking. In this study, gelatin sponges were prepared by using various cross-linkers such as glutaraldehyde (GA), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC), and D-fructose. The effects of the type and the amount of cross-linker on thermal and mechanical properties, stability, and cytotoxicity were investigated. The mechanical analysis data showed that an increase in the amount of GA in the sponge structures caused a slight increase in the modulus of elasticity but had almost no effect on the tensile strength. Increase in the EDAC concentration produced a maximum in the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength values. The stability of the sponges and the time required for complete degradation in aqueous media increased in parallel with the cross-linker content. In vitro studies carried out with fibroblast cells demonstrated a higher cell viability for the samples cross-linked with low concentrations of GA than for those cross-linked with EDAC.     

In vivo response to dynamic hyaluronic acid hydrogels

Tissue-specific elasticity arises in part from developmental changes in extracellular matrix over time, e.g. ～10-fold myocardial stiffening in the chicken embryo. When this time-dependent stiffening has been mimicked in vitro with thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) hydrogels, improved cardiomyocyte maturation has been observed. However, host interactions, matrix polymerization, and the stiffening kinetics remain uncertain in vivo, and each plays a critical role in therapeutic applications using HA-SH. Hematological and histological analysis of subcutaneously injected HA-SH hydrogels showed minimal systemic immune response and host cell infiltration. Most importantly, subcutaneously injected HA-SH hydrogels exhibited time-dependent porosity and stiffness changes at a rate similar to hydrogels polymerized in vitro. When injected intramyocardially host cells begin to actively degrade HA-SH hydrogels within 1 week post-injection, continuing this process while producing matrix to nearly replace the hydrogel within 1 month post-injection. While non-thiolated HA did not degrade after injection into the myocardium, it also did not elicit an immune response, unlike HA-SH, where visible granulomas and macrophage infiltration were present 1 month post-injection, likely due to reactive thiol groups. Altogether these data suggest that the HA-SH hydrogel responds appropriately in a less vascularized niche and stiffens as had been demonstrated in vitro, but in more vascularized tissues, in vivo applicability appears limited.     

In vivo biocompatibility of gelatin-based hydrogels and interpenetrating networks

The in vivo host response to two gelatin-based hydrogel systems of varying crosslinking modalities and loaded with the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone sodium phosphate was investigated. Either gelatin was chemically crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, or polyethyleneglycol diacrylate was photopolymerized around gelatin to form interpenetrating networks. The subcutaneous cage implant system was utilized to determine differential leukocyte concentrations in the inflammatory exudate surrounding the materials as indices for biocompatibility and drug efficacy in vivo. Most of the crosslinked gelatin-based materials, either via glutaraldehyde fixation or interpenetrating network formation, elicited stronger inflammatory responses than either of the starting materials, gelatin and polyethyleneglycol diacrylate. In general, dexamethasone delayed and intensified the inflammatory response. The loss of material mass did not correlate directly with the degree of cellular inflammatory response, but increased with longer implantation time and decreased with more extensive fixation.     

In vivo biocompatibility of gelatin-based hydrogels and interpenetrating networks

The in vivo host response to two gelatin-based hydrogel systems of varying crosslinking modalities and loaded with the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone sodium phosphate was investigated. Either gelatin was chemically crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, or polyethyleneglycol diacrylate was photopolymerized around gelatin to form interpenetrating networks. The subcutaneous cage implant system was utilized to determine differential leukocyte concentrations in the inflammatory exudate surrounding the materials as indices for biocompatibility and drug efficacy in vivo. Most of the crosslinked gelatin-based materials, either via glutaraldehyde fixation or interpenetrating network formation, elicited stronger inflammatory responses than either of the starting materials, gelatin and polyethyleneglycol diacrylate. In general, dexamethasone delayed and intensified the inflammatory response. The loss of material mass did not correlate directly with the degree of cellular inflammatory response, but increased with longer implantation time and decreased with more extensive fixation.     

On the distribution of chlorine-atoms in chlorinated polyvinylchloride prepared by various methods

The monoclinic α-modification of drawn and undrawn 6-polyamide is transformed into the γ-structure by a treatment with aqueous iodine-alkalijodine solution. A detailed investigation of this structure by X-ray, IR-spectroscopy and calorimetry is reported. In contrast to the γ^*-structure, which arises by fast cooling from the melt or by cold-crystallization from the glassy state, the γ-modification is well ordered and may be further improved by annealing. The well ordered γ-structure is not hexagonal but has a monoclinic or orthorhombic elementary cell with a crystal density of 1.190 g/cm³. In contrast to the γ^*-structure the γ-modification has a high thermal stability and on heating is directly transformed into the melt. For samples with γ- and with γ^*-structure the same relation between heat of fusion and specific volume is found, giving a density of 1.090 g/cm³ for the amorphous regions, which agrees with the density of a completely amorphous sample. The heat of fusion of the γ-crystal is 51 cal/g. Certain differences in the X-ray diagrams and IR-spectra between samples with γ- and γ^*-structure are discussed.     

In vitro transfection of plasmid DNA by cationized gelatin prepared from different amine compounds

The objective of this paper is to compare the in vitro transfection efficiency of a luciferase plasmid DNA using cationized gelatin prepared from different amine compounds. The compounds used here were ethylenediamine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, chemically introduced to the carboxyl group of gelatin for the cationization. Complexation of the cationized gelatin with the plasmid DNA was performed by simply mixing the two materials at various N+/P- mixing ratios (the molar number ratio of amino groups of gelatin to the phosphate groups of DNA) in aqueous solution. Gel retardation studies revealed that the formation of cationized-gelatin-plasmid DNA complexes depended on the N+/P- mixing ratio. The stronger interaction of plasmid DNA with the cationized gelatin of spermine compared to the other cationized gelatins was observed by an ethidium bromide intercalation assay and Scatchard binding analysis. When the transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA complexed with the various cationized gelatins at different N+/P- mixing ratios was evaluated for mouse L929 fibroblasts, the highest transfection efficiency was observed for the complex prepared from the cationized gelatin of spermine at a N+/P- mixing ratio of 2. The present study indicates that there is an optimal N+/P- mixing ratio and a type of amine compound or cationization extent of cationized gelatin to enhance the transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA.     

几种常见物理消融方法的动物实验研究

目的探讨射频、微波、高频介导的热治疗(HITT)、激光等4种消融方法固化的凝固范围。方法对离体猪肝在不同条件下应用4种消融方法进行固化,观察并记录剖面状况和凝固范围。将12只猪分成4组,亦采用4种消融方法,使用离体实验所用的相同条件固化在体猪肝,观察并记录剖面状况及凝固范围。结果在体猪肝实验中射频组,电极针开放至3cm及5cm,消融时间分别为5.5、10min时,凝固范围分别是2.12cm×1.83 cm×2.07cm、2.59cm×2.19cm×2.19cm及4.57 cm×2.58cm×2.61 cm及4.64cm×2.70cm×2.76cm。微波组,微波功率为80 W,消融时间分别是3、5、6、10 min时,凝固范围分别是2.53 cm×1.84 cm×1.23 cm、2.74cm×2.08cm×1.62cm、2.85cm×2.09cm×1.59cm及3.38cm×3.34cm×1.77cm。HITT组,消融时间分别是5及10min,消融温度为85℃时凝固范围分别是2.53 cm×1.70cm×0.90cm及3.03cm×2.07cm×1.53cm。激光组,采用单针凝固及4针耦合凝固,凝固范围在功率为2.0、2.5、10,0、12.0 W时分别是0.95cm×1.05cm×0.85cm,1.05cm×1.10cm×0.90cm及2.45cm×1.45cm×1.95cm,2.55cm×1.55cm×2.05cm。离体猪肝实验中,4种方法的凝固范围均比相对应条件下在体猪肝的凝固范围有不同程度的增大。结论通过对离体与在体猪肝的4种物理消融方法的实验研究,表明射频、微波及HITT凝固范围较大,其中射频消融效果更稳定,激光消融凝固范围较小,为临床治疗时物理消融方法的选择提供了技术参数。     

几种常见物理消融方法的动物实验研究

目的 探讨射频、微波、高频介导的热治疗(HITT)、激光等4种消融方法固化的凝固范围.方法 对离体猪肝在不同条件下应用4种消融方法进行固化,观察并记录剖面状况和凝固范围.将12只猪分成4组,亦采用4种消融方法,使用离体实验所用的相同条件固化在体猪肝,观察并记录剖面状况及凝固范围.结果 在体猪肝实验中射频组,电极针开放至3cm及5cm,消融时间分别为5.5、10 min时,凝固范围分别是2.12 cm×1.83 cm×2.07 cm、2.59 cm×2.19 cm×2.19 cm及4.57 cm×2.58 cm×2.61 cm及4.64 cm×2.70 cm×2.76 cm.微波组,微波功率为80W,消融时间分别是3、5、6、10 min时,凝固范围分别是2.53 cm×1.84 cm ×1.23 cm、2.74 cm×2.08 cm×1.62 cm、2.85 cm×2.09 cm×1.59 cm及3.38 cm×3.34 cm×1.77 cm.HITT组,消融时间分别是5及10 min,消融温度为85℃时凝固范围分别是2.53 cm×1.70 cm×0.90 cm及3.03 cm×2.07 cm×1.53 cm.激光组,采用单针凝固及4针耦合凝固,凝固范围在功率为2.0、2.5、10,0、12.0 W时分别是0.95 cm×1.05 cm×0.85 cm,1.05 cm×1.10cm×0.90 cm及2.45cm×1.45 cm×1.95 cm,2.55 cm×1.55cm×2.05 cm.离体猪肝实验中,4种方法的凝固范围均比相对应条件下在体猪肝的凝固范围有不同程度的增大.结论 通过对离体与在体猪肝的4种物理消融方法的实验研究,表明射频、微波及HITT凝固范围较大,其中射频消融效果更稳定,激光消融凝固范围较小,为临床治疗时物理消融方法的选择提供了技术参数.     

In vivo biocompatibility of collagen-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

Collagen-p(HEMA) hydrogels were subcutaneously implanted in rats for up to 6 month and the immediate short- and long-term tissue response to these implants was studied. Histopathological data indicated that the tissue reaction at the implant site progressed from an initial acute inflammatory response characterized by the presence of eosinophils and polymorphs to a chronic response marked by few macrophages, foreign body giant cells and fibroblasts. After one month a very thin fibrous capsule (approximately 11 microns thick) was observed around the implant. Even 6 month post-implantation, the capsule thickness was maintained at about 11-12 microns. No necrosis, calcification, tumorigenesis or infection was observed at the implant site up to 6 month. Fibrous capsule analysis showed that the collagen content and the capsule thickness were well within the threshold limits. The collagen-p(HEMA) hydrogels were found to be well-tolerated, non-toxic and highly biocompatible.     

Effects of aldehydes and methods of cross-linking on properties of calcium alginate microspheres prepared by emulsification.

Calcium alginate microspheres were prepared by an emulsification method and cross-linked with various aldehydes using different methods. Methanal and pentanedial produced low aggregation of microspheres while octanal and octadecanal produced the opposite effect. The latter two aldehydes displaced very little calcium ions from the alginate microspheres, indicating that the aggregation was due to the tackiness imparted by the aldehydes to the microsphere surface. Higuchi's model was not applicable to the drug release from microspheres in this study. The microspheres treated with methanal or pentanedial showed comparable dissolution T75% values which were significantly higher than that of the control. In contrast, octanal and octadecanal produced microspheres with lower dissolution T75% values. The drug contents of the microspheres treated with aldehydes were significantly lower than that of the control. There was insignificant interaction between the aldehydes and the drug. However, the aldehydes were found to impart acidity to the aqueous solution to varying extents, resulting in varying drug loss from the microspheres. The properties of the microspheres were also markedly affected by the method of incorporating the aldehyde. Soaking the microspheres in methanal solution produced microspheres with marked aggregation and low drug content.     

灌注法制备全肾脏脱细胞基质支架的体内生物相容性

背景：应用灌注法制备的大鼠全肾脏脱细胞基质支架具有良好的体外细胞相容性,但其体内生物相容性尚不明确。 目的：应用灌注法制备大鼠全肾脏脱细胞基质支架,检测其体内生物相容性。 方法：应用灌注法制备Wistar大鼠全肾脏脱细胞基质支架,进行以下实验：①急性毒性实验：在小鼠腹腔分别注射全肾脏脱细胞基质支架浸提液、生理盐水及苯酚。②溶血实验：将抗凝新西兰兔血分别与全肾脏脱细胞基质支架浸提液、生理盐水及蒸馏水混合。③热源实验：向新西兰兔耳缘静脉注射全肾脏脱细胞基质支架浸提液。④内皮刺激实验：在新西兰兔皮下注射全肾脏脱细胞基质支架浸提液,观察有无皮肤刺激反应。⑤皮下植入实验：将全肾脏脱细胞基质支架埋入新西兰兔背部皮下。 结果与结论：全灌注法制备的Wistar大鼠全肾脏脱细胞基质支架无细胞残留,未引起全身毒性反应、急性溶血反应、热源反应及皮肤刺激反应,植入兔体内具有良好的组织相容性。说明大鼠全肾脏脱细胞基质材料在动物体内具有很好的生物相容性。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：